Everything you want to know about tinnitus part 2: Noise

Let’s talk about one of the biggest contributors to tinnitus: noise. Loud noise is one of the greatest threats to our hearing. On top of that, noise induced hearing loss more often than not is accompanied by tinnitus. In fact, tinnitus is often the first warning sign that hearing damage is occurring (ever notice that ringing in your ears after a loud concert or movie?).

Noise exposure can largely be divided into workplace and recreational. Common jobs that put people at more risk of noise exposure include construction, military service, factory work, farming, and airport ground staff. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but includes some of the most potentially noisy jobs. Common sources of recreational noise include concerts, movies, fireworks, power tools, and some household appliances like blenders.

Most hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise takes some time and chronic exposure to develop. However, there are some situations where noise can damage your hearing right away, often permanently. These include standing too close to fireworks, gun blasts, and explosions without hearing protection.

Of course the sources of noise are wide and varied. This list only includes the most common. As a general rule, if the noise is loud enough that you have difficulty hearing and following the conversation of the people next to you, it’s potentially damaging and could lead to hearing loss and tinnitus.

The most effective way of preventing noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus is to use hearing protection when avoiding noise is not possible. This includes at concerts and when using household power tools, not just at noisy job sites. If hearing protection is used consistently, much of the tinnitus and hearing loss due to noise exposure can be avoided.

For more information or to book a hearing evaluation, please contact Accurate Hearing at one of our two convenient locations:

Lower Sackville: 902-252-3004

Cole Harbour: 902-406-4327